India tests medium range missiles

India has successfully tested two short-range ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, defence officials say.

The Prithvi-II missiles were launched from Chandipur in the eastern state of Orissa into the Bay of Bengal at 1028 and 1033 local time.

The 9m (29-ft) surface-to-surface Prithvi missile has a range of up to 350 km, defence officials said.

The missile has already been inducted by the armed forces, they said.

The two missiles have been designed to operate with both liquid and solid fuels, and are capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads, officials say.

India and Pakistan routinely carry out missile tests, and normally inform each other of them in advance.

Tensions between the two nuclear powers has increased in recent months, in the wake of last November's attacks in Mumbai.

Source:http://news.bbc.co.uk/

'No guarantee that Pak will not use US tech against India'

NEW DELHI: India’s worst fear in the ongoing US-led war on terror along the Pak-Afghan border is Pakistan accessing and using American technology

and aid to augment its conventional military strength against this country, but does the Obama administration’s new “Af-Pak strategy” address this concern?

According to Bruce Riedel, the former CIA official whom President Barack Obama had entrusted with the responsibility of giving shape to his Afghanistan strategy, there is no foolproof guarantee against Pakistan transferring US technology to its advantage against India.

Riedel warned India in an interview to TOI that military assistance provided for one purpose can be “inherently” used for another purpose or adversary because it is “fungible” in nature. Riedel made the statement even as he added that Washington will look into all allegations of transfer of American technology provided to Pakistan.

Pakistan has been pleading with the US for transferring crucial weapon technologies being used in the war on terror, including drones, to it to help it deal, as it says, effectively with terrorists operating out of its territory on the western border. India has been keeping its fingers crossed, hoping that US will not share drone or any similarly lethal weapon technology with Pakistani agencies and Riedel’s statement, coming as it does from the man who headed the White House committee which reviewed the US’ Afghanistan strategy after Obama took over as president, will only heighten the concern. “The US will probe allegations of technology transfer of American equipment provided to Pakistan thoroughly,” Riedel told TOI.

“It should be borne in mind, however, that military assistance is always fungible, that is equipment provided for one purpose can inherently be used for other purposes. As a consequence, US military aid and sales to south Asia should always be carefully calculated for their impact on the India-Pakistan balance of conventional military power,” he added.

Politicos board the cricket bandwagon

This is one power play that doesn't end after five overs. The grip that leaders from across the political spectrum have gained over the country's cricketing boards could be craftier than Shane Warne ever managed in the course of his career.

Be it the Congress, the BJP or their regional rivals, every political formation worth its salt has a finger in the cricketing pie. Most of them can't tell a chinaman from a googly, yet they preside over state cricketing boards with aplomb.

Let's take Sharad Pawar for example. The Maratha strongman is the face of the cricket- politics alliance.

While no one knows if he can bat or bowl, he did juggle his varied roles of Union agriculture minister and BCCI president with a lot of tact. "Even though he is a minister, his priority remains cricket," says an associate.

"The BCCI position gave him national and international standing. And he is aiming big. It is no coincidence that he will be the ICC president by the time the 2011 World Cup is played in India." Indeed, cricket and politics have gone hand-in-hand for Pawar. He became the chief minister of Maharashtra only after taking over the reins of the Garware Club House.

For old time's sake, he remains the honorary president of the club. "It was his lucky charm," adds his aide. One of Pawar's trusted lieutenants, Lalit Modi, used his political links to graduate from the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) to the BCCI, then to IPL and ultimately to the world stage. His proximity to the then Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje is a well-known fact. Lalit Modi used the Raje card to bring a contentious 'sports ordinance' in 2005, using which he bowled out Kishore Rungta in the RCA elections. But he didn't account for the discontent this would cause not only in the association but also in the state government. An IAS officer, Sanjay Dixit, ousted him from the RCA in elections held earlier this year.

The BCCI vice-president is far from done, however.

Rebels linked with him split the RCA into two on Sunday and "sacked" Dixit.

Still more interesting is the coup that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi orchestrated this week by capturing the cash-rich Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) and overthrowing long-standing president Narhari Amin.

As Narendra Modi lengthened his foray into state cricket, murmurs have grown louder that he is hoping to gradually gain control of the national board as well.

The man with the taint of the 2002 Gujarat riots has been working on an image makeover for some time.

Following the BJP's general elections debacle, cricket could be just the means to keep Modi in the national limelight - and for all the right reasons.

Not all forays are successful. Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee courted former India captain Sourav Ganguly some three years ago, believing this would yield him tons of votes. The communist leader was convinced, reportedly by people close to Sourav, that Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) chief Jagmohan Dalmiya should be removed. The CM chose Kolkata Police commissioner Prasun Mukherjee to contest the elections before publicly lambasting Dalmiya for his "failures". But if Buddha believed all this would help the CPM make inroads in the minds of young Bengalis, it didn't happen.

Several of his own partymen, including his predecessor Jyoti Basu and some Cabinet colleagues, carped Buddha for getting involved in cricket politics. His candidate won in 2006, but Dalmiya returned to the CAB's presidency earlier this year. And the CPM - with or without Sourav - went for a six in the general elections. Buddha, who once played cricket himself, now rarely even talks about the sport.

Never one to be left behind, RJD president Lalu Prasad took over the reins of Bihar cricket eight years ago. During his chief ministership in the 1990s, Patna had played host to two one-day internationals. That was pretty much all Lalu could show as his cricketing credentials, yet he was "elected unopposed" to the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA)' s presidency in 2001.

It was a crucial time in Lalu's career. He had been forced to give up chief ministership in the wake of the fodder scam. And Bihar had been divvied up just months earlier. His confidants apparently told him about the glamour of cricket and cited the examples of high- profile politicians like Madhavrao Scindia, Pawar and Arun Jaitley who headed the cricket administration of their states. Lalu saw no harm.

Some believe he also took over the BCA to further the careers of his two sons, Tej Pratap and Tejaswi Yadav, who had shown sparks of talent. At one of his rallies in later years, Lalu even introduced them as cricketers "who have no political ambitions whatsoever". But even if the sons took to cricket for the love of the game - their father, and many of his ilk, are driven very much by political ambition, and cricket's promise of power and publicity, when they open their innings.

source :- http://indiatoday.intoday.in/

India to launch Oceansat-2 on Sep 23: ISRO

BANGALORE: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) would launch Oceansat-2 satellite, which would help identify potential fishing zones and in coastal zone studies, on September 23 in a mission that would have European flavour.

The 970-KG spacecraft would set-off by the home-grown Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from Sriharikota spaceport on the east coast, where preparations for the launch are in full swing.

"Oceansat-2 is tentatively scheduled to be launched at around noon on September 23," S Satish, spokesperson of Bangalore-headquartered ISRO, said.

ISRO officials said the launch is expected at 11.56 AM on that day.

The satellite is intended for identification of potential fishing zones, sea state forecasting, coastal zone studies and providing inputs for weather forecasting and climate studies.

It is an in-orbit replacement to Oceansat-1, launched by ISRO in May 1999 and was used to study physical and biological aspects of oceanography.

"Data from Oceansat-1 (which has completed ten years of service) was widely used by fishermen," ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair said.

Besides ISRO, European space agencies would be keenly looking forward for the missions success as a set of six European nano satellites would ride piggyback and accompany Oceansat-2 on its trip to orbit.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Tendulkar, Harbhajan script India's tri-series triumph

COLOMBO: Sachin Tendulkar's 44th ODI century and Harbhajan Singh's five-wicket haul scripted India's tri-series triumph as the visitors raised their game when it mattered most and cruised to a 46-run win in the final match against Sri Lanka on Monday.

Scorecard

Thumped by 139 runs in their Saturday's meeting which cost them world number one ODI team's tag, India first amassed 319 for five and then shot out Sri Lanka for 273 in 46.4 overs to settle score.

Chasing a mammoth 320-run target, Sri Lanka got the perfect start from Tillakaratne Dilshan (42 off 29 balls) and Sanath Jayasuriya (36) before running out of steam. Down the order, the 70-run stand between Thilina Kandamby (66) Chamara Kapugedera (35) was a mere act of defiance and not enough to turn the match on its head.

Harbhajan Singh (5-56) was the wrecker-in-chief even though he missed a hat-trick chance.

Earlier, the Indian top order fired in unison and Tendulkar's majestic 133-ball 138 lifted them to a massive 319 for five wickets after Mahendra Singh Dhoni had won an important toss and elected to bat.

Tendulkar raised 95 runs with makeshift opener Rahul Dravid (39) and 110 with next man in Dhoni (56) and then Yuvraj Singh (56) provided the late charge to take the tally past the 300-mark.

The target was tough but Sri Lanka looked game for a fight with Dilshan going after Ishant Sharma. Dilshan greeted Ishant with back-to-back fours in his first over and then went on a rampage.

The famous Dilscoop was not far behind either as Dilshan executed the shot against his bemused Delhi Daredevils teammate Ashish Nehra.

Desperate for a breakthrough, Dhoni pressed in service Harbhajan Singh as early as in the eighth over and the offie did not let his skipper down, dealing a double strike that knocked the stuff out of Sri Lanka's chase.

Harbhajan castled Dilshan with his fifth delivery and then returned to catch Mahela Jayawardene (1) off his own bowling in his next over.

Encouraged by his success, Dhoni tossed the ball to Yusuf Pathan and the lanky offie claimed Jayasuriya, just when the left-hander had started looking menacing.

Two more quick wickets and Sri Lanka had lost their top half for 131 and once Sangakkara fell to a freak dismissal - his bat came loose and fell on the wicket on follow through - the hosts had the writing on the wall.

Earlier, 36-year-old Tendulkar seemed to be in imperious form as he notched up his 44th ODI century with a stunning display of strokeplay.

With Dinesh Karthik failing in both the matches, India opted for a new opening pair of Tendulkar and Dravid for the summit showdown and the experienced duo clicked together.

The two experienced batsmen found runs easy to come by as they took the total to 50 by the end of the 10th over and sought to accelerate the pace of scoring from then on.

Dravid got a reprieve when he was on 24 with Tillakaratne Dilshan dropping a fairly simple catch at gully, Thushara being the unlucky bowler.

Sangakkara introduced Lasith Malinga in the 13th over and Tendulkar greeted him with a glorious backfoot punch to the fence.

Dravid then lifted spinner Ajantha Mendis for a six but the wily Sanath Jayasuriya removed him in the next over. Dhoni promoted himself to the number three slot and got into the act almost immediately with a flurry of strokes.

He and Tendulkar kept up the pace of scoring without taking too many risks as they brought about the 100-run partnership to pile up the agony on the hosts.

Tendulkar took a single by cutting Mendis to the sweeper cover to notch up his 44th ODI century.

The hosts finally broke the partnership when Dhoni mistimed his pull shot and Kandamby took a well-judged catch.

A tired Tendulkar, who called in a runner after suffering from cramps, was dismissed at the fag end of the innings, being trapped leg before wicket by Mendis.

His sublime knock of 138 came off just 133 balls and was laced with ten boundaries and a six.

Down the order, Yuvraj chipped in with an unbeaten 41-ball cameo of 56 that had six fours and a six in it.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Paes-Dlouhy win US Open doubles title

NEW YORK: Leander Paes won the battle of Indians as well as his 10th Grand Slam title after defeating old pal Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles in the US Open men's doubles final along with his partner Luaks Dlouhy on Sunday.

Fourth seeds Paes and Czech Dlouhy scripted a sensational 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win in the championship match over third seeds Bhupathi and his Bahamian partner.

The match was heading for a straight-set wash out for Bhupathi and Knowles but LeanderPaes enlivened the match with his inspiring play and changed the complexion of the game.

His sparkling play infused life into the match and Dlouhy complemented him well to emerge winners after a confidence shaking first set lapse.

For Paes it is his fifth men's doubles Grand Slam crown, 41st overall, and second with Dlouhy.
It was also second title of the year for the seasoned Paes, who won French Open in June along with Dlouhy.

The defeat for Bhupathi means that he has not won a men's doubles Grand Slam crown in seven years. Interestingly, his last victory came at the US Open only when he triumphed with Max Mirnyi in 2002.

He had won the Australian Open mixed doubles title with Sania Mirza at the start of the season.

Bhupathi and Knowles made a spiffing start by opening up a 2-0 lead after breaking Paes in the second game but their rivals retaliated by breaking the Bahamian in the third.

Paes' backhand slice return off Knowles' service earned them a breakpoint which they converted when the Indian fired a volley between their rivals, making the score 2-2.

Paes dropped his serve again in the sixth game but Knowles this time made amends and held his serve in the next to earn a 5-2 cushion.

Bhupathi, who served with great control all through, had no problem in sealing the first set in the ninth game.

Paes and Dlouhy overcame a disastrous start to the second set and played enthralling tennis with emotions flying high.

Dlouhy dropped his serve in the first game and Knowles held his to shot up to 2-0 lead but Paes and Dlouhy won four games in a row to go up 4-2.

The sixth game produced scintillating tennis as Paes hit some stunning and measured service return winners to earn as many as five breakpoints and finally converted the last to break Bhupathi for the first time in the match.

However, Paes failed to hold his serve yet again in the next game but the damage was neutralised as Knowles too dropped his serve in the eighth game.

Dlouhy then served out the set, converting their third chance and the match stretched to the decisive third set.

Carrying on with the momentum, the Indo-Czech continued their good work and earned an early break.

Knowles' double fault after Bhupathi's unforced volley error in the third game gave their rivals that crucial opportunity to push for the win.

Paes and Dlouhy then saved three breakpoints in the next game, broke their rivals in the seventh game and served out the match in the eighth game at love.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

India beat New Zealand to reach tri-series final

COLOMBO: No side has won a match at the Premadasa Stadium batting second in the last 13 ODIs played here. India broke that hoodoo on Friday,beating New Zealand by six wickets in the second match of the Compaq Cup tri-series and thereby ensuring a place in Monday's final against hosts Sri Lanka and also moving to the top of ICC's ODI rankings. India now take on the hosts in an inconsequential game on Saturday.

Scorecard

But the real positive to come out of Rahul Dravid's comeback match was the superb performance of another man on the comeback trail: Ashish Nehra whose career was thought to be as good as over after he suffered a serious ankle injury during the 2003 World Cup. into a match winner again. "It was tough but I never for once thought that I won't play for India again," said Nehra after his man-of-the-match showing.

Nehra generated good pace and bounce and, more importantly, moved the ball either ways after pitching. That he got both the New Zealand openers, Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum, one a left-hander and the other a right-hander, out leg-before with balls that came in after pitching showed that he knew what he was doing with the ball.

The Delhi left-armer opened the floodgate in his first over and also wrapped it up in the 47th over as New Zealand managed a modest 155 for nine wickets.

Nehra finished with figures of 3 for 24 from his 8.3 overs. New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori top scored with 25 in a card that had quite a few 20s, some 10s and a duck too. In reply, India notched up the required runs in the 41st over losing just four wickets.

Sachin Tendulkar, back in the squad after skipping the West Indies tour, scored 46 valuable runs before skipper MS Dhoni (35 n.o.) and Suresh Raina (45 n.o.) saw to it that India broke the Premdasa jinx.

But more than India's batting, coach Gary Kirsten & Co would have taken heart from what their fast bowlers did early in the day. Bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad applauded every New Zealand wicket that fell with a great sense of satisfaction.

It could be seen in his big smile as it flashed on the giant screen. And he had some good reasons for that too. Without Zaheer Khan in the line-up, many thought that this attack lacked bite and venom.

But Nehra's comeback and RP Singh return to form and fitness meant that a bowler like Ishant Sharma could afford to come in first change to trouble the opponents. Of course, conditions at the ground helped the bowlers and the Kiwi batsmen failed to put up any credible resistance. But Indian bowlers were still spot on.

If Nehra was hungry for some action, so was RP. He too had a point to prove and didn't let go of this opportunity. He mixed his deliveries well and never hesitated to dig in one short or bowl the slower ones every now and then.

And while the focus was on the seamers, part-time spinner Yuvraj Singh also proved incisive, grabbing three wickets for 31 runs to hasten New Zealand's fall.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com